An integrated ARM and multi-core DSP simulator

Abstract

In this paper we describe the design and implementation of a flexible, and extensible, just-in-time ARM simulator designed to run co-operatively with a multi-core DSP simulator on x86 hosts. The integrated simulator can boot ARM/Linux alongside another operating system running on DSP cores, thus truly supporting a heterogeneous multi-core operating environment. In addition, the simulator facilitates exploration of several system design parameters such as memory latencies, cache organization etc. via lightweight user-defined instrumentation.We provide performance results and highlight the impact of design choices on our overall performance and design objectives. We also discuss implementation techniques and trade-offs between the competing requirements of simulation speed versus accuracy in a complex multi-core simulation environment.

Embedded Software Design and Programming of Multiprocessor System-on-Chip

“…In this context [136] mixes the interpreted ISS simulation with the compiled ISS simulation in order to allow a multi-processing simulation approach to increase simulation speed. Reference [144] describes an ultra-fast ARM and multi-core DSP instruction set simulation environment based on just-in-time (JIT) translation technology, which refers to the dynamic translation of the target instructions (ARM, DSP) to the host instructions (×86) during the execution.…”